DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age, Qualification

The DRDO CEPTAM recruitment drive, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation through the Centre for Personnel Talent Management, defines clear eligibility criteria for the 2026 cycle to ensure candidates are suitable for technical roles in India’s defence research sector. These requirements include age limits, educational qualifications, nationality, and medical fitness, with minor variations depending on posts such as Senior Technical Assistant-B and Technician-A. A thorough understanding of these criteria is essential for aspirants, particularly candidates from regions like Rajasthan who are aiming for government careers in science and technology.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Age Limits

• The standard age requirement for DRDO CEPTAM 2026 is 18 to 28 years as on the crucial date specified in the official notification, which is usually the first day of the application month.

• OBC candidates (non creamy layer) are eligible for an age relaxation of up to 3 years.

• SC and ST candidates receive an age relaxation of up to 5 years.

• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are allowed an age relaxation of up to 10 years for general category posts.

• Ex-servicemen and departmental candidates are entitled to additional age relaxations as per government norms.

• Female candidates in the general category generally have an upper age limit of 28 years, while post wise relaxations help ensure broader participation and inclusivity.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Educational Qualifications

• STA-B Posts

  • Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in relevant science, engineering, or technology disciplines.

  • Common specializations include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science.

  • The degree must be obtained from a recognized university on or before the prescribed cut off date.

• Technician-A Posts

  • Applicants should have passed Class 10 or an equivalent examination.

  • An ITI certificate in a trade relevant to the vacancy is mandatory.

  • Eligible trades include Fitter, Welder, and Electronics Mechanic.

• General Conditions

  • All qualifications must be from AICTE or UGC approved institutions.

  • Provisional admission is allowed but remains subject to final document verification.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Nationality Requirements

• Applicants must be Indian citizens to be eligible for the positions.

• The roles involve sensitive defence-related work under the Ministry of Defence.

• Candidates holding dual citizenship are not permitted to apply.

• Foreign nationals are not eligible for recruitment.

• These requirements are in line with DRDO’s official mandate.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Physical Standards

• Candidates must be physically and mentally fit to perform assigned duties effectively.

• Conditions such as color blindness, night blindness, or any disability that affects job performance are not permitted.

• Medical fitness is checked after selection, and candidates found unfit are disqualified.

• For certain Technician-A posts, physical tests are conducted to evaluate the ability to perform trade-related tasks.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Experience 

• Some STA-B posts may require relevant work experience, although fresh graduates are also eligible in many cases.

• Candidates employed in government services must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their current employer at the time of document verification.

• Tattoos are allowed only on traditional areas such as the forearms, back of the hands, and the reverse side of the foot, in line with Army standards followed by DRDO.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Category-wise Relaxations

• SC/ST candidates receive 5 years of age relaxation along with reduced qualifying marks of 35 percent compared to 40 percent for UR, OBC, and EWS categories.

• OBC Non-Creamy Layer candidates are eligible for 3 years of age relaxation, subject to creamy layer exclusion norms.

• EWS reservation is provided under the 10 percent quota and is applicable as per annually revised income and asset criteria.

• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are granted age relaxation ranging from 10 to 15 years depending on category overlap.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Application Disqualifiers

• Applications with incomplete educational qualifications are rejected.

• Candidates exceeding the prescribed age limit are disqualified.

• Submission of false or forged documents leads to cancellation of candidature at any stage, including after appointment.

• Multiple applications for the same post result in rejection of all applications except the last submitted one.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Post-Specific Variations

• Eligibility differs by trade or post code.

• For example, Mechanical STA-B requires a B.Sc. in Physics or an Engineering degree.

• Technician-A Welder requires an ITI certificate in Welding.

• Candidates should check the official notification for vacancy-wise eligibility details.

• The 2026 recruitment is expected to have around 700 to 800 posts, similar to 2025 which had 764 vacancies.

DRDO CEPTAM Eligibility 2026: Preparation Tips

• Verify your eligibility carefully using the official notification PDF available on drdo.gov.in.

• Apply online only through the official CEPTAM portal.

• Keep essential documents ready such as mark sheets, caste certificates, and PwBD certificates.

• Ensure non-creamy layer certificates are valid for one year at the time of application.

• Take mock tests to assess Tier-I CBT readiness.

• Focus preparation on quantitative aptitude, reasoning ability, and subject-specific topics.